The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is running out of space to accommodate the rising number of coronavirus patients in the city. On Monday, it acquired a private hospital, Sai Hospital, under the provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
Located on 90 Feet Road, Dharavi, the hospital occupies the first three floors of a ground plus five building, with the remaining two floors being residential. Residents were opposed to the BMC's takeover plans, fearing that they would be affected if patients were brought into the hospital though the common entrance. It was only when MLA Varsha Gaikwad stepped in and spoke to civic officials could the issue be resolved.
"Initially, we were not ready to accept the BMC's decision to set up screening for corona-positive patients, as it's a contagious disease and if the common entrance is used by patients, residents would be vulnerable. Our MLA Varsha Gaikwad spoke to BMC officials and another way was found -- A wall was razed and another gate made for the patients to enter," said a resident, Munna Shaikh.
On Tuesday, after a new patient tested positive, the BMC took over the 51-bed Sai Hospital and turned it into an isolation and treatment centre. The hospital staff will be assisting BMC doctors.
The corporation will pay around Rs 30 lakh to the hospital management per month for using the hospital. At this hospital, the BMC plans to isolate asymptomatic patients and high-risk contacts of positive patients in Dharavi.
"High-risk patients have been identified and once we detect more positive cases, the asymptomatic will be sent to Sai Hospital. All the required protective equipment, like masks, sanitisers etc will be provided to the doctors and the staff," said Kiran Dighavkar, Assistant Commissioner, G North ward.
